Response to Scottish Government Draft Budget 2024/25

Published: 20 Dec 2023

Update statement following meeting of the Creative Scotland Board, 20 December 2023

Further to our initial response to the publication of the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget for 2024/25, the Board of Creative Scotland met today, 20 December.

The Board welcomes the proposed settlement for Creative Scotland of just over £68m in Grant in Aid funding for 2024/25, which compares to £55m for the current financial year, particularly given the continued pressure on public finances.

Subject to approval in the Scottish Parliament, this settlement will restore Creative Scotland’s Grant in Aid budget following recently applied in-year reductions, while also accounting for the reserves Creative Scotland deployed this year to ensure continuity of support for 119 Regularly Funded Organisations (RFOs) across Scotland.

At today’s meeting, we are pleased to say that the Board approved funding for RFOs in 2024/25 at agreed levels.

The contracting process with those organisations can now begin in the New Year.

Full details of Creative Scotland’s budget, including National Lottery income, will be published in our Annual Plan, in April 2024.